Machine for perforating cigars



Dec. 29, 1936. J DQRFMAN 2,065,995

MACHINE; FOR PERFORATING CIGARS Filed May 18, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 YINVVENTOR I BY W A oRNEY Dec. 2 9, 1936. DORFMAN 2,065,995

MACHINE FOR PERFORATING CIGARS Filed. May 18, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 ORNEY Dec. 29, 1936. I J DQRFMAN I 2,065,995

MACHINE FOR PERFORATING CIGARS Filed may 1a, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet s nhvENToR 2. 4 56 9 54 BY w Dec. 29, 1936. L. J. DORFMAN MACHINE FOR PERFORATING CIGARS Filed May 18, 1935 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 4i Ag/Yo glNvENToR A min Patented Dec. 29, 1936 UNITED" STATES PATENT OFFICE Louis J. Dorfman, Brooklyn, N. Y.

Application May 18, 1935, Serial No. 22,182

14 Claims.

This invention relates particularly to a machine for perforating and forming a hole in the end of 'a cigar to avoid the necessity for cutting the end preparatory to smoking the cigar.

Heretofore, cigars having perforated ends have been formed by inserting a pointed implement or needle into the cigar, but the methods and machines available for .performing the operation have been relatively inefiflcient and the operation has been slow and tedious. Furthermore the wrappers .of the cigars are frequently cracked or torn during the perforating operation which not only impedes the operation but also destroys the cigars.

One object of my invention is to provide a novel and improved machine of the general character described whereby the cigars may be rapidly fed in succession to a perforating mechanism, then perforated and then successively and automatically ejected from the machine, whereby large numbers of cigars can be handled and perforated quickly and with a minimum of manual handling.

Another object is to provide in such a ma- 25 chine novel and improved means for successively feeding or depositing the cigars in proper relation to the perforating mechanism.

Further objects are to provide a machine of this character having novel and improved means for accommodating cigars of different length and locating each cigar in proper relation to the perforating mechanism, to ensure accurate perforation of the cigar to the proper depth.

Another object is to provide novel and improved means for holding a cigar against movement during withdrawal of the perforating needle therefrom to prevent damage to the cigar as would occur should the cigar follow the needle upon withdrawal thereof and become jammed against parts of the machine.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a novel and improved perforating mechanism for machines of this character; to provide such a perforating mechanism which shall include a head for embracing and holding the end of the cigar to be perforated and a needle movable relatively to said head into and out of the end of the cigar while the latter is held by said head; whereby the head shall accurately center the cigar end relatively to the needle; to provide a novel and improved perforating needle including means for heating it to facilitate perforation of cigars; and

r to obtain other advantages and results as will be brought out by the following description.

Referring to the accompanying drawings in which corresponding and like parts are designated throughout the several, views by the same reference characters,

4 Figure 1 is a front elevation of a cigar perforating machine embodying my invention.

Figure 2 is a rear elevation thereof.

Figure 3 is a transverse vertical sectional view on the line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a top plan view of the machine with portions of the supply chute shown in horizontal section on the line 44 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a similar view partially in horizontal sectiim, approximately onthe line 5-5 of Figure Figure 6 is a fragmentary vertical longitudinal sectional view through one end .of the supply chute.

Figure '7 is a sectional viewon the line ll of Figure 5 showing the perforating mechanism in detail.

Figure 8 is an enlarged vertical longitudinal sectional view through the perforating needle.

Figure 9 is a transverse sectional viewon the line 9-9 of Figure 8 and,

Figure 10 is a wiring diagram.

Specifically describing the illustrated embodiment of the invention the machine includes a table A mounted on a suitable base B and having a cigar supply chute arranged on the top thereof to which the cigars are supplied from a hop per D.

In accordance with the invention, the cigars are disposed in the chute C in horizontally superposed relation and are fed or deposited suc-.v

cessively onto the table A in proper position to a perforating mechanism E which forms a hole or perforation in one end of the cigar. After perforation thereof, the cigars are successively automatically ejected from the table by ejecting mechanism F, and roll down a discharge chute G'to a suitablereceptacle.

As shown. the supply chute C includes a vertical standard I at each corner thereofto which opposed resilient metal walls 2 and 3 are secured at their upper ends by bolts 4. The chute also has end walls 5. The lower ends of athe side walls 2 and 3 are normally influenced away from each other by their inherent resiliency and are adjustable toward each other by set screws 6 and I mounted in cleats 8 on the standards i. The lower end of the wall 3 is also movable toward and from the adjustable wall 2 for the purpose of controlling feed ordeposit of the cigar on the table A by means of a reciprocating arm 9 cooperating with a cam l0 mounted on the wall 3. When the wall 3 is moved away from the wall 2 as shown in Figure 3, the lowermost cigar is permitted to fall by gravity to the table in juxtaposition to the perforating mechanism E.

A yieldable holding member H is disposed oppositely to the lower end of the wall 3 so that the cigar on the table is arranged between said wall and said member, and as the wall 3 is moved toward the wall 2, the cigar is yielding]! pped so as to be held against movement in any direction under tension or pressure exerted by the perforating mechanism, especially during withdrawal of the perforating needle fromthe cigar as hereinafter described.

The member II is pivoted on horizontal trunnions l2 to swing away from the chute and is normally swung toward the chute by a tension spring l3 connected to a fixed portion of the machine and an operating arm l5 rigidly connected to one trunnion i2 of the member.

As the holding member ii is forced away from the chute out of the path of the cigar, the cigar is simultaneously pushed from the table by an ejector I! which is movable horizontally through a notch l8 in the lower end of the wall 3 of the chute.

The means for actuating the member II and the ejector I1 is shown as comprising a cam 20 mounted on a countershaft 2| which is driven by a belt and pulley gearing 22 through a speed reducing gear 23 from an electric motor 24. This cam is followed by a slide rod 25 mounted on the top of the table A and abutting a translating segment 26 pivoted at 21 on the table and abutting the end 28 of another slide 25 mounted in guides 290 on the table. The slide 29 carries an actuating rod 30 cooperating with the arm l5. The slide 28, translating segment 26 and slide 25 are normally held in abutting contact and the slide 25 is caused to follow the cam 20, by tension spring 3|. The ejector I1 is connected to the slide 29. With this construction, it will be observed that periodically and simultaneously the ejector I! will be moved transversely of the chute to push the cigar from the table and the holding member will be swung out of the path of the cigar to permit it to fall down the chute G. During this action the ejector moves beneath the stack of cigars in the chute, and upon retraction of the ejector as shown in Figure 3, the lowermost cigar .in the stack falls by gravity to the table.

One end of the cigar is perforated by the mechanism E while the cigar is on the table. As shown, the perforator mechanism is mounted at one end of the chute C and includes a head 35 slidable horizontally in guides 36 on the table and having a socket 31 to embrace and holdone end of the cigar. A perforating needle 38 is mounted to reciprocate in the head coaxially of the socket 31 into and out of the end of the cigar. For actuating the head I have shown a cam 39 on the shaft 2| which engages an arm 40 depending from the head for moving the head toward the cigar, the head-being actuated in the opposite direction by a compression spring H and a push rod 42. The needle 38 is actuated by a cam 43 on the shaft 2| arranged between the arms of a fork M on a block 45 to which the needle is secured and which is slidable in said guides 36. The cams 39 and 43 are of such shapes and in such timed relation that the head 35 is moved into holding relation to the cigar, after which the needle is moved into and out of the cigar by the cam 43 while the cigar is held by the head, whereupon the head is retracted from the cigar. The socket in the head accurately locates or centers the cigar end relative to the needle to ensure that the needle shall penetrate the cigar at the proper point.

Of course, the operation of the head and needle is in timed relation to the feeding of the cigar, a cigar being deposited onto the table, while the head 35 is retracted as shown in Figures 4 and 5.

For holding the cigar stationary and preventing it from sticking to and following the needle as the latter is retracted, the lower end of the wall 3 is moved inwardly to grip the cigar between said wall and the member II, For this purpose, the arm 9 is shown as connected to the block 45 at 46 whereby the arm moves synchronously with the block. Accordingly, the wall 3 clamps the cigar approximately synchronously with the movement of the needle into the cigar, and holds the cigar until the needle is wholly withdrawn, and jamming of the cigar against the wall of the chute in such a way as to damage the cigar, is thereby prevented. After retraction of the needle out of the cigar the ejector ll pushes the cigar from the table, whereupon the operation is repeated on another cigar.

To accommodate cigars of different length and accurately locate the cigars relatively to the needle to ensure perforation to the proper depth, and further provide yielding resistance to endwise pressure exerted on the cigar by the head and needle, a resilient abutment 60 is mounted on the end wall of the chute opposite the needle and is adjustable by a set screw 6|.

Another feature of my invention is the structure of the perforating needle which is shown in de tail in Figures 8 and 9 of the drawings. As shown, the needle includes a metal tube 50 having a solid metal point 5i inserted in one end thereof, the tube 50 being secured in the block 45. At the inner end of and in direct heat exchanging relation to and in contact with the metal point 5! and within the tube 50 is arranged an electrical heating unit 52 of generally known construction. This heater is shown as comprising a core 53 of insulating material such as porcelain on which is wound a coil 54 which may be embedded in the core to prevent contact of the wires with the metal tube. The heater is secured in the tube by a plug 55 of suitable material such as porcelain through which lead-in wires 56 for the heater extend outwardly and through the tube to an electric cable 51. The heater heats the penetrating point 5| so as to facilitate penetration of the cigar by the point.

The electric motor 24 and heater 52 may be connected in circuit as desired, but preferably are associated as shown in Figure 10; and preferably a visible indicator such as an electric lamp is provided in the circuit to indicate when the heateris in proper operation. As shown in the figure, the reference character L designates the line wires and the motor is connected in parallel to the line through a switch M. One terminal of an indicator lamp N is connected to one line wire while the other terminal is connected to one terminal of the heater the other terminal of which is connected to the other line wire. The circuit through the lamp N and heater is controlled by the auxiliary switch 0. With this construction, the switch M controls the circuit through the motor, and the switch 0 controls the heater and the lamp N. The motor cannot be operated until the switch M is closed and the heater is controlled by the switch 0 so that the current will not flow through the heater until said switch 0 is closed. When the switch 0 is closed and the circuit is intact, the lamp N is illuminated but should the heater be burned out or the circuit be otherwise disrupted the lamp N will not be lighted, which will be a signal that there is something wrong. Figure 4 shows the switches M, O and the lamp N conveniently mounted on the table A.

, aooaoos For agitating the cigars in the hopper D to ensure 'their falling by gravity into the chute C, I may provide an agitator plate pivoted on a shaft 66 which is connected through a crank arm 68 and a link rod 61 to theslide 29, whereby the plate is oscillated by and upon each reciprocation of the slide.

While I have shown and described the invention as embodied in certain details of structure it shouldbe understood that this is primarily for illustrating the principles of the invention and that many modifications and changes may be made in the details of construction without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is:

l. A machine of the character described comprising a table, mechanism including a needle for perforating the end of a cigar on said table, means for stacking cigars horizontally in superposed relation and feeding them by gravity one by one to said .table in proper relation to said perforating mechanism, means for gripping and holding each cigar against longitudinal movement during withdrawal of the needle from the cigar, and means for successively ejecting said cigars after perforation thereof.

2. The machine set forth in claim 1 wherein said perforating mechanism includes a reciprocating needle movable into and out of the end of the cigar coaxially therewith, and with the addition of means for yieldingly resisting the pressure exerted by said needle as it penetrates the cigar.

3; The machine set forth in claim 1 wherein said perforating mechanism includes a socketed head to embrace and hold the end of a cigar to be perforated and a needle movable coaxially through the socket, and means for moving said head and needle relatively in timed relation to cause said head successively to embrace and release the cigar end and the needle to move into and out of the cigar while it is held by said head.

4. The machine set forth in claim 1 wherein said perforating mechanism includes a socketed head to embrace and hold the end of a cigar to be perforated and a needle movable coaxially through the socket, and means for moving said head and needle relatively in timed relation to cause said head successively to embrace and release the cigar end and the needle to move into and out of the cigar while it is held by said head, and with the addition of means to yieldingly resist the pressure exerted on the cigar by the head and needle.

5. A machine of the character described comprising a table, a perforating mechanism movable horizontally over said table to perforate the end of a cigar, a supply chute to support cigars in superposed horizontal relation-above the table,

means for releasing said cigars successively from said chute to said table in proper relation to said perforating mechanism, means for operating said perforating mechanism and said releasing means in timed relation to first deposit a cigar on the table, then perforate it, and means operating in timed relation to said perforating means to eject a cigar from the table after perforation of the cigar. v

6. A machine of the character described comprising a table, a perforating mechanism to perforate the end of a cigar, means for depositing cigars successively on said table in proper relation to said perforating mechanism, means operating said perforating mechanism and said depositing mechanism in timed relation to first demechanism to eject a cigar from the table after perforation thereof.

7. In a machine of the character described, a table to receive a cigar, a perforating mechanism to perforate the end of a cigar on said table, means for successively depositing cigars on said table in proper relation to said perforating mechanism, and means for successively ejecting said cigars after perforation thereof.

8. In a machine of the character described, a table, a supply chute for holding cigars in horizontally superposed relation to be deposited by gravity on said table, said chute having a fixed wall and a wall movable toward and from the fixed wall, means for controlling movement of the movable wall from and toward the other, andber out of the path of the ejected cigar.

10. The machine set forth in claim 8, with the addition of means for perforating a cigar while it is so held, and means opposed to said perforating mechanism for yieldingly resisting endwise pressure exerted on the cigar by said perforating mechanism.

11. In a machine of the character described, a table to receive a cigar, a perforating mechanism to perforate the end of a cigar on said table, means for successively depositing cigars on said table in proper relation to said perforating mechanism, and an adjustable member opposite said perforating mechanism to accommodate cigars of different lengths and ensure perforation to the proper depth.

12. In a machine of the character described, means for holding a cigar for perforation, mechanism for perforating one end of the cigar while it is held by said holding means including a head having a socket to embrace the end of the cigar, a needle'reciprocable coaxially through said sock-' et into and out of the cigar end to perforate the latter, means for successively feeding cigars into perforation.

13. A perforating '-needle'for cigars comprising a tube, a point mounted in one end thereof and carried thereby, and an electrical heating unit in said tubeand in direct heat exchanging relation to and. in contact with the inner end of said point for heating the point to facilitate penetra tion of the cigar by said point.

14. A member for perforating cigars comprising a tube, piercing means in one end thereof and carried thereby, and an electrical heating unit in said tube and in direct heat exchanging relation to and in contact with a part of the piercing means within the tube for heating the piercing means to facilitate penetration of the cigar by LL DISCLAIMER 2,065,995.Lous J. Dor fman, Brooklyn, N. Y. MACHINE FOR PERFORATING CIGARS. Patent dated December 1942, by the assignee, Intematz'onal Hereby enters this disclaimer to claim 12 [Oficz'al Gazette May 26', 1942.]

Oigai' Machinery Company. of said patent.

29, 1936. Disclaimer filed May 1, 

